1yr. Old Murder Unsolved, Family's Plea

Victim's mother begs for someone to come forward

Tools

By
Monique Williams

Story Created:
Apr 19, 2013 at 3:14 PM EDT

Story Updated:
Apr 19, 2013 at 4:01 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) -- It's been 364 days since a Columbia man was shot to death in his own home. No one has been arrested for the murder. Richland County authorities hope you can help change that, as they and the victim's family plead for answers.

As tragedy mounts in Boston, Texas and other parts of the country, there is real hurt right here at home in the Midlands. For one Midlands mother, Linda McCoy, the pain of losing a son is just as real today as it was a year ago.

"I know he's dead, but I don't live like he'd dead everyday. I moved over here (Raymond Street) to be close to my child, not for him to get murdered to not be here with me no more."

Richland County sheriff's deputies responded to Raynard McCoy's home off Two Notch Rd., April 20, 2012, in reference to multiple shots being fired. They found the then-25-year-old lying in a pool of his own blood around his head. Almost a year to the day it happened, they want to bring those responsible to justice.

"Every one of these cases, once we solve them, we've found that other people had information, they just never came forward with it or they are waiting on police to come to them, or didn't think what they had was significant, " said Sgt. Brian Godfrey. "We ask for anything."

Police say it was a home invasion, but there was no sign of forced entry. They claim that means the victim knew the shooter. Linda McCoy thinks someone was jealous of her son's rap career (his stage name was Boo Gotti) and wanted him dead. Now, she wants someone to come forward, she says, so her son's death is not in vain.

"You can't run forever. You cannot run forever."

Authorities say these crimes are solvable. In fact, just last year, they say they resolved two cold cases that were five and six years old. All it takes is for someone to come forward. You can remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward. If you have any information, call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.